Two in five parents in the UAE do not ensure their children are buckled up safely in vehicles before a journey, a survey has found.
The poll carried out by Volkswagen Middle East, RoadSafetyUAE and market research agency YouGov found 40 per cent of parents do not fasten their children safely. A common reason is that the youngsters do not like being strapped in.
More than 1,000 people, including 550 parents, were surveyed for the nationwide road safety campaign.
Thirty-four per cent of parents said they did not have a child seat, while 29 per cent said they felt they drove safely and did not feel the need to strap their child into a car seat.
Every person in a vehicle is legally required to wear a seat belt at all times, regardless of age, and a child under 4 must travel in a child seat.
Driver who fail to ensure this happens can be fined Dh400 ($108) and receive four black points on their licence.
“Traffic rules, fines and black points have been put in place to reduce accidents and deaths. We not only issue fines but also educate drivers. However, the real and biggest responsibility is that of the driver,” Capt Saud Al Shaiba, director of traffic awareness branch at Sharjah Police, told The National.
“It is the driver’s responsibility to adhere to the rules to ensure zero accidents.
“Sudden swerving, failing to stay in lane, speeding or any traffic offence a driver commits can cause an accident.
“Wearing a seat belt will certainly minimise the risks to drivers or passengers. They will not smash into the windshield or get thrown out of the car.
“Committing to children’s safety in cars by not letting them sit in the front seats and by ensuring they are in suitable child car seats and buckled up is the way to keep them safe."
The survey showed 84 per cent of respondents experienced anxiety or stress when driving, and 82 per cent said they would drive more safely if they left for their destination 10 minutes earlier.
Stress levels were higher among female drivers and in the 35 to 44 age group. Only 16 per cent of drivers said they were never affected by anxiety or stress on the road.
Half of respondents said listening to calming music, the radio or podcasts helped them overcome anxiety.
Breathing techniques and speaking over the phone or with passengers helped to reduce stress levels.
"Good emotional regulation skills and healthy mental health practices are fundamental for safe driving," said Dr Saliha Afridi, clinical psychologist and managing director of The LightHouse Arabia.
“Whether it's lingering feelings from a negative interaction or anger associated with something that happens on the road, having the ability to regulate your emotions, calm yourself down quickly, and not being emotionally reactive is essential for a safe drive."
Twenty-three per cent of respondents said they were more likely to speed when running late, while 18 per cent said they would tailgate.
Fifty-seven per cent said that they would be less stressed if they began their journeys a few minutes earlier.
The findings come after authorities ran safe back-to-school campaigns for the new academic year.
In August, Dubai Police told drivers to follow traffic rules and avoid speeding as thousands of pupils returned to classrooms.
Police also posted educational videos on social media to raise awareness.
Similar awareness campaigns were run in Abu Dhabi.
Accidents on UAE roads - in pictures
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
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Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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1 The kind of water athletes drink is important. Gwilym Hooson, a 28-year-old British performer who is currently recovering from knee surgery, found that out when the company was still in Studio City, training for 12 hours a day. “The physio team was like: ‘Why is everyone getting cramps?’ And then they realised we had to add salt and sugar to the water,” he says.
2 A little chocolate is a good thing. “It’s emergency energy,” says Craig Paul Smith, La Perle’s head coach and former Cirque du Soleil performer, gesturing to an almost-empty open box of mini chocolate bars on his desk backstage.
3 Take chances, says Young, who has worked all over the world, including most recently at Dragone’s show in China. “Every time we go out of our comfort zone, we learn a lot about ourselves,” she says.
Expert input
If you had all the money in the world, what’s the one sneaker you would buy or create?
“There are a few shoes that have ‘grail’ status for me. But the one I have always wanted is the Nike x Patta x Parra Air Max 1 - Cherrywood. To get a pair in my size brand new is would cost me between Dh8,000 and Dh 10,000.” Jack Brett
“If I had all the money, I would approach Nike and ask them to do my own Air Force 1, that’s one of my dreams.” Yaseen Benchouche
“There’s nothing out there yet that I’d pay an insane amount for, but I’d love to create my own shoe with Tinker Hatfield and Jordan.” Joshua Cox
“I think I’d buy a defunct footwear brand; I’d like the challenge of reinterpreting a brand’s history and changing options.” Kris Balerite
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“If I had all the money in the world, I’d live somewhere where I’d never have to wear shoes again.” Raj Malhotra
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Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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Sam Smith
Where: du Arena, Abu Dhabi
When: Saturday November 24
Rating: 4/5
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
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Part time contracts
Aryan Lakra, Ansh Tandon, Karthik Meiyappan, Rahul Bhatia, Alishan Sharafu, CP Rizwaan, Basil Hameed, Matiullah, Fahad Nawaz, Sanchit Sharma
Pari
Produced by: Clean Slate Films (Anushka Sharma, Karnesh Sharma) & KriArj Entertainment
Director: Prosit Roy
Starring: Anushka Sharma, Parambrata Chattopadhyay, Ritabhari Chakraborty, Rajat Kapoor, Mansi Multani
Three stars
MATCH INFO
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Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
